Lotto Newsletter

Hunting New Year’s Meet
Masters of Tipperary Foxhounds photographed at the New Year's Meet in Fethard on January 1, 2013. L to R: Liam Kearney, Paul Ronan, Marion Goodbody and Tim Hyde. (Photos by Larry Kenny)

One hundred and seven mounted followers plus a huge number of car and foot followers turned out to greet the Tipperary Foxhounds at their annual New Year’s meet at Fethard. A very enjoyable sporting and social occasion was enjoyed by all.

Hounds found at Dr. Condon’s. Running back towards Fethard to Strylea, they hunted left by the sportsfield to the Killenaule road, left-handed again almost to Ballybough and down through Aidan Maher’s where there was a brace ahead of the pack. They crossed the Rocklow Road and crossed the river near Breen’s Bridge, hunting to Monroe they swung right to Grangeduff where they lost him. From Rathvin they had a run back to Rocklow and up by the river to Ballyvaden.

They finished the day with a sharp twenty-five minutes from Power’s wood, around by Annsgift House, left-handed to Ballyvaden and on to Farranaleen Railway Bridge. Incidentally, a few followers crossing the river at Breen’s Bridge had a New Year’s Day dip. Here’s hoping they dried out okay!

Go mbeirimíd beo ar an am seo arís.

Charles and Eimear Blackmore photographed at the Tipperary Foxhounds New Year's Meet in Fethard

Paul Ronan having some refreshments from Frances Boyle at the Tipperary Foxhounds New Year's Meet in Fethard.
Long time Fethard hunt supporter, Mickey Fitzgerad, holding Lauren Donegan at the New Year's Meet in Fethard.
Photographed at the New Year's Meet in Fethard are L to R: Margaret O'Donnell, Orla O'Donnell and Eileen Connolly.
Lalor family and friends at the New Year's Meet in Fethard.
Gleeson and Carroll family members at the New Year's Meet in Fethard.

Steve O'Connor at the New Year's Meet in Fethard.

Fethard Macra
South Tipp Macra held their annual New Year’s Eve Ball in Cahir House Hotel which was a huge success and a fantastic night was enjoyed by all. We would like to thank the organising committee, all who attended, and the wonderful staff of the hotel who where more than accommodating. We look forward to seeing you all next year.
Slievenamon Macra will hold a Friendly Poker Tournament on Friday, January 18, in Jimmy Wall’s Bar, Carrick Beg, Carrick-on-Suir. For details contact John on Tel: 086 1040082 or Ber on 086 8469377. All are welcome.

South Tipp Macra compete in the semifinals of the National Macra Capers competition on January 19 and we wish those taking part all the best of luck. Volleyball Continues every Friday at 9pm night in Clerihan Hall.

Michael Moclair a member of South Tipp and Fethard Macra has announced that he is running for candidacy for the Macra Munster Vice President. He is a fantastic member with great enthusiasm and involvement within the organisation and we wish him the best of luck.
For more information on upcoming events or if you're interested in joining South Tipp Macra you can find us on Facebook or contact Úna 087 4165826 or Laurann 085 7337432.

With the Ballylusky White Heather Harriers
The Ballylusky White Heather Harriers will meet on Sunday next, January 13, at Tullamaine and Sunday, January 20, at Coolmoyne. Both meets at 11am.

Bunny Hop re-opensBunny Hop end of term Christmas party at Fethard Youth Centre. The group are now back in action since Monday, January 7. Bunny Hop is a music and movement group devised especially for babies and young children. To join or for information contact Nicola 087 6742401.

Tipperariana Book Fair
On Sunday, February 10, the Fethard Historical Society will hold their 18th annual Tipperariana Book Fair in Fethard Ballroom. The committee will gladly receive donation of books to sell at the book fair on February 10. Contact any member of the society or phone 086 3905373 and arrangements will be made to receive the books.

Fethard GAA Club News
The 2012 AGM of our senior board took place on December 16 at 2pm with the adjourned meeting on Friday, January 4, at 8pm, both of which were very poorly attended. The following was decided and agreed at these meetings: Patsy Lawrence was elected Chairman and P.J. Aherne as Vice Chairman. Our secretary of the past many years, Mary Godfrey resigned her post and is replaced by Denis Hannon, the assistance secretary is Emma Fleming, who has replaced Ann Fleming as Bord na nOg secretary. Club treasurer is Stephen Fitzgerald and unfortunately we have no replacement as yet for our assistant treasurer, John Fitzgerald, who resigned his post this year. The post of PRO, as always is a hard post to fill and to date we are looking for someone to fill it. Miceál McCormack was the outgoing PRO, but has resigned his post. Our designated childrens/youth officer is Andy O’Donovan, who will also oversee the ASAP (Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention) until the post is appointed.

As we are all aware, due the reducing number of players over the last couple of years Fethard GAA joined with St. Patrick's GAA in U16, Minor and U21 in both Football and Hurling. The joined teams will be known as 'Anner Gaels'. Our Senior Football and Intermediate Hurling teams will remain under the Fethard flag.

The motion from Fiodh Ard Bord na nÓg to the Senior board regarding 'Family Membership' could not be agreed on and therefore was not passed. But a proposal from the floor regarding the cost of membership for our players in College/University, or full time education be reduced to that in line with minor players was agreed and adopted.

The membership for Fethard GAA and the GAA Sports Centre in 2013 is: Playing Adult €40, Non-Playing Adult €30, Playing Student in full time education €20, Minor Player €20, Juvenile Player €20.

We take this opportunity to thank Mary Godfrey for the years of dedication and enormous committee to the senior club. Mary not only carried out her role as secretary brilliantly but also, on too many occasions to count, would be found in the GAA park, along with Austie Godfrey putting up nets for a fixture, be it senior or juvenile, and also cleaning the stands and field as well as changing rooms. Mary would also provide refreshments for visiting teams and many meetings, while Austie was guardian and keeper of the ‘Blue and White’ jerseys of our club and, all in all, did so much for the senior club that they will be truly missed.

Thankfully, Mary and Austie will remain with the GAA at Bord na nÓg level. Mary accepted the role as assistant secretary for the Juvenile Club, and Austie will be the South Bord na nÓg delegate for the club. These roles will not be unfamiliar to either, as through their dedication to GAA in Fethard, both Mary and Austie were and remain on hand to step in and help out whenever they can.

Things are looking pretty good for our Juvenile Club with a fully committed committee and parents on board. We are delighted to see that past and present players are keen to return to the Juvenile club to help and train our underage players.

This year we are thrilled to welcome back to the fold, non other than Eoin 'Bubbles' Condon and Michael Fleming, players from our South Minor Champions of 2007, as our U14 coaches, and assisted by our 2012 Players Representative Eoin Hurley.

These lads are eager to get started with training and have asked that all boys interested in football and born in 1999, 2000 and 2001 to attend training sessions. These sessions will be starting in a week with fixtures due to start early to mid March, so keep an ear out for the day and time and keep updated by looking on Facebook for training times. Those who have already got their numbers with the club will be contacted soon by Emma.

Our U16s have joined with St. Patrick's under the name of Anner Gaels, but have the same treat, with Jamie McCormack appointed as one of the selectors along with Tommy Sheehan. Jamie being an avid Fethard man in ‘Blue and White’, still playing for the club and Tommy, not needing any introduction, is well known by all the lads in Fethard. Tommy is also one of the 2013 South and County U16 football selectors. Not leaving our Premier 12s out, the much respected and in demand Mick O’Mahony is at the helm, along with Eugene Walsh. All in all our football season at Juvenile Level is starting on a positive note and we hope it will continue into the hurling season.

We wish everyone a happy, joyful and healthy 2013 and ask that you might consider a resolution for 2013 to come out to support our teams when they play.

Kennedys in Fethard
Members of the Kennedy extended family from Fethard and Clonmel enjoying the music at McCarthy's on December 27

Socialising in Butler's Bar over Christmas were L to R: Ann Marie Butler and Sinead O'Brien

Fethard and District Rugby Club
A chill wind blew across the Community Field on Sunday last as Fethard welcomed both Mitchelstown and Kilfeacle rugby clubs to see in the New Year. Fortunately the Rugby was warm enough for all. A very shaky start by Fethard U11s saw Kilfeacle put two early scores on the board and a bit of unseasonal advice from the coaches left no doubt in anyone’s mind that Christmas was over and the time for giving was past. As ever, some strong running from Eabha Fitzgerald and Ethan Cohen saw Fethard make progress up the field; the rucking re-emerged and both Eoin Walsh and Angus Macdonald won excellent ball for their team. A continued improvement saw Ethan cross the line to make the half-time score 3-1.

As so often in the past, Fethard seemed to need the first half to wake up and certainly the second half here was completely different, good confident running from Mathew Burke and Mathew Gleeson, with Sam Quigley driving on, saw more scores coming. Soon it was three-all with tries from Eabha and Jack Hassett getting rewarded for his consistent hard work and textbook support play. Eabha, coming back from injury, soon added her second score to put Fethard in the lead but Kilfeacle came back and levelled the game with seconds to go. The time was up and both teams knew the next time the ball went dead would be the end and neither wanted to settle for a draw, Kilfeacle would have had it if it were not for Richard Robinson's match saving tackle which drew the appreciation of the whole crowd, some loose play ensued and Eoin Walsh gathered and charged for the line; evading tackles and breaking free of some desperate defending. The Fethard player saw the line and dived! The final whistle went leaving it 5-4 to Fethard! Well done and commiserations to Kilfeacle who were missing players.

Fethard U8
Fethard U8s turned out in force for their New Year game against Kilfeacle. The Fethard panel of twelve performed really well with fantastic tackling throughout from David McCormack, Robbie Noonan, Micheál Blake and consistent tackling with great gusto from Padraig O'Dwyer, Tomas Ryan and Louis Ryan. Great teamwork from Jack Quinlan, Mark Neville and William Noonan also contributed with fine tackling during the game. Great back was given in the passing from Andrew Connorton and Ana Quigley-O'Dwyer. Paric Heffernan added to this team's great play throughout. The players improved their rucking over the ball effectively as a team and played their best game of rugby so far this season. Thank you and well done to the players for an enjoyable and fine display. Special thanks for the kind donations of food from parents and the help in the kitchen afterwards.

Next week the minis are away to Clanwilliam (Tipperary Town) on Sunday.

Finally, Munster Rugby kindly agreed (if they have sufficient numbers) to hold coaching courses in Clonmel Rugby Club for minis and foundation rugby. If any parents are interested in taking the course please can you contact or text Polly on 086 3394959.

Amy Hanrahan’s photographic exhibition opens in Dublin
Amy Hanrahan, a daughter of Brian Hanrahan formerly from The Green, will have her photographic exhibition, ‘The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things’, officially opened at The Copper House Gallery, off Synge Street, Dublin 6, by artist Michael Healy at 6pm on this Thursday, January 10. The exhibition will run at the gallery up to February 1 and admission is free.

This exhibition is the first solo show by the 2012 Fire Propeller Award winner and is a photographic series inspired by the idiosyncrasy of the family unit. The Copper House Gallery launched the 2012 Fire Propeller Finalists’ Award Exhibition for graduating photographic students to showcase their work. The Irish Time’s visual art critic Aidan Dunne has described Amy’s 2012 LSAD graduate show as a remarkable prize-winning photo-essay on a family’s inner world.
Amy Hanrahan whose photographic exhibition opens this Thursday in Dublin (photo by Larry Kenny)

Items for Fethard News and Website
Items for inclusion on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.

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